Lonzo Ball (knee) unlikely to return for Lakers vs. Suns Tuesday

Lonzo Ball looks like he’ll miss a 10th straight game on account of the sprained MCL in his left knee. According to the Orange County Register’s Bill Oram, the Los Angeles Lakers won’t practice on Monday, meaning the rookie out of UCLA won’t have an opportunity to test his knee in full contact before Tuesday’s game against the Phoenix Suns at Staples Center.

Lakers not practicing tomorrow. I see virtually no path to Lonzo Ball playing against the Suns on Tuesday. He will be on practice court tomorrow continuing his rehab from left MCL sprain, but Walton said Ball needs a full practice before playing. Next such practice is Wednesday.

As Oram notes, Lakers coach Luke Walton has made it clear on multiple occasions that Ball wouldn’t be thrust back into an actual NBA game until he’s had a chance to practice. The next chance for Zo to do so will have to wait until Wednesday, in preparation for Thursday’s tilt with the Oklahoma City Thunder.

The Purple and Gold seem to have found a workable equilibrium without the Crown Prince of Chino Hills, especially with rookie Josh Hart replacing Tyler Ennis as Lonzo’s top substitute. They’ve won six of eight sans Ball, including Sunday’s 108-104 win in OKC, since their 0-8 start in his absence.